Nike says “oops,” according to Pitchfork Media. The shoe giant has apologized for blatantly ripping off imagery from the cover of hardcore band Minor Threat’s 1981 self-titled album.
Last week, it was reported that Nike Skateboarding was using a design eerily similar to the Minor Threat album to promote its “Major Threat” 2005 East Coast skateboarding tour. D.C.’s own Dischord Records was pissed and said as much, but it wasn’t until yesterday that Nike expressed regret in a letter on its website:
To set the record straight, Nike Skateboarding’s ‘Major Threat’ Tour poster was designed, executed and promoted by skateboarders, for skateboarders. All of the Nike employees responsible for the creation of the tour flyer are fans of both Minor Threat and Dischord records and have nothing but respect for both. … Because of the album’s strong imagery, and because our East Coast tour ends in Washington DC, we felt it was a perfect fit. This was a poor judgment call and should not have been executed without consulting Minor Threat and Dischord Records.
The letter goes on to say the company will do whatever it can to get rid of the marketing materials. Looks like some enterprising young skateboarders will be making money on eBay.
